Monday, August 24, 2009

Chinatown, Bangkok.

We love Chinatowns everywhere we go there's a Chinese community and a new Chinatown to explore. It also gives us a chance to catch up on some foods we have missed if we've been somewhere without a Chinatown.

When we're in Bangkok there's always a trip or two to Chinatown planned, the food and markets always please. This time there was no time for a night visit to the markets that appear and sprawl out over the pavement and onto the roads. With time short we decided to return to a few favourites first being Hong Kong noodles, located up a super crazy cool alley lined with all sorts of animal parts and assorted food stuffs the noodle shop is easily found on the Nancy Chandler map and worth the visit.

Two orders of roast duck noodles with wontons are whipped up quick as a flash. As good as always the noodles are quick to vanish along with a side of dim sim from the dumpling shop next door.

After the soup we have a hankering for a little something sweet and decide to wander over to the old Siam center where inside unknown to most there is the most fantastic traditional Thai food court. If you haven't been there before head over with and empty stomach and enjoy.

In this case we were just after the tasty sweets from the tasty Thai sweets stand. Lining the stand huge brass woks are full of the different sweets as well as a pyramid of steamed sweets on one corner. Just rock up and point at what you like the look of and you'll be given a plastic bowl with your treat of choice. Step to the side and enjoy with the dozens of other people doing the same. Each time we have been many friendly interested Thais offer help and advice, and are often surprised when they are answered in Thai........limited broken Thai but Thai all the same. This time we both go for the tapioca cooked with pandanus and sweet corn. I love the gooey tapioca sweetened by the corn and given an almost savoury finish with salted coconut cream.

After we share a sankaya; a steamed coconut cream dessert with a finish like a set custard.

These days you can get on a bus, boat or plane and within hours or even minutes you can be in a new country.. but even as the world gets smaller the food still stands to let you know you've arrived a world away..